Fisherman rescues two from capsized vessel

WOODS HOLE — Two men were rescued in Vineyard Sound early yesterday morning by a fisherman who spotted their overturned boat, public safety officials said.

WOODS HOLE — Two men were rescued in Vineyard Sound early yesterday morning by a fisherman who spotted their overturned boat, public safety officials said.

The men reportedly had been clinging to their sinking 18-foot boat for roughly six hours.

David Brogioli of Wareham was fishing at about 7:15 a.m. when he spotted a triangle shape and a splash about 500 yards away, he said yesterday. When he brought his 23-foot powerboat closer, he saw a capsized boat mostly under water. One man was swimming about 20 yards from the boat, Brogioli said. Another was clinging to the bow of the boat, which was still above water.

Brogioli said he called 911 on his cell phone and the Coast Guard came to help guide them to shore at Woods Hole. A Coast Guard official confirmed the rescue but said the federal agency did not have the names of anyone involved.

Brogioli said the distressed mariners appeared to be in their 40s. One of the men, who said he lives in Stoughton, was alert and told Brogioli their boat had capsized at least six hours earlier. The other man drifted in and out of consciousness during the rescue effort, Brogioli said.

The Falmouth Fire Department reported both men were taken to Falmouth Hospital, with one of them suffering from hypothermia.